Moana 2 Director Talks Juggling Making The Animated Sequel At The Same Time As The Live-Action Moana Movie

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As a seasoned gamer who has traversed countless virtual worlds, I must admit that I am thrilled about the upcoming sequels of Moana, both animated and live-action. Having grown up in the Polynesian islands, I find myself deeply connected to the culture and stories portrayed in this beloved Disney franchise.

In two weeks, the release date for the animated sequel of “Moana 2” is upon us. After this upcoming film, Disney enthusiasts won’t have to wait long before they see Moana in another one of Disney’s forthcoming movies. Concurrently working on both projects, TopMob had a chat with the co-writer of the live-action “Moana” movie that is under development.

What Moana 2’s Co-Director Told Us About Working On Live-Action Moana

For the past few years, Dana Ledoux Miller has immersed herself in all things ‘Moana’, serving as both co-writer and co-director for ‘Moana 2’ and also a co-writer of the live-action version. At a press event for ‘Moana 2’ held at Walt Disney Animation Studios, I had the opportunity to chat with Miller about managing these two projects simultaneously. Here’s what she shared:

Initially, I worked on the live-action version before moving onto the animated one. I collaborated with Jared Bush on the live-action script, and our partnership proved to be incredibly valuable. We found ourselves deeply invested in Moana’s initial story because we wanted Moana 2 to complement rather than replace the first film. Consequently, we were constantly immersed in the world of the first movie while writing the live-action script. This familiarity with Moana from the first film made it easier for us to expand upon her character and create a sequel that felt organic. It was as if we had a sense memory of Moana’s world, making the expansion seem natural.

According to Miller, her passion for expanding the Moana universe began when she was tasked with co-writing the upcoming live-action remake alongside Jared Bush. The project was officially announced last summer, featuring Dwayne Johnson as Maui in a live-action role (alongside Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original, serving as an executive producer), with Thomas Kail directing. Upon joining Moana 2, Miller felt that her involvement in the live-action movie was beneficial because it fueled her desire to further develop the story instead of rehashing familiar waters. Additionally, working on the live-action film provided valuable insights into understanding and portraying the heroine for Moana 2 more effectively.

What’s Happening With The Live-Action Moana Movie?

This summer marked the start of filming for the live-action version of the movie “Moana,” starring Dwayne Johnson as Maui. The lead character Moana will be portrayed by newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia, while John Tui will play Chief Tui, Frankie Adams will take on the role of Moana’s mother Sina, and Rena Owen has been cast as Gramma Tala. Set for release on July 10, 2026, this upcoming movie is expected to bring Moana’s tale back to life with an authentic portrayal of Polynesian culture and the beauty of Hawaii.

The new version of the movie will be released approximately ten years following its original debut, and there are many reasons to look forward to Moana 2. When it hits theaters on November 27, Moana encounters a charming little sister, and Pua has an increased presence during her latest adventure. These details were revealed during TopMob’s discussion with the directors of Moana 2.

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2024-11-14 04:07